### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H8355}}` (שְׁתָה, *shᵉthâh*) carries the fundamental meaning "to drink" or "to imbibe." It is explicitly noted as corresponding to the more frequently occurring Hebrew verb `{{H8354}}` (שָׁתָה, *shātâh*), indicating a shared semantic range. This range encompasses both the literal act of consuming liquid and, by extension, figurative applications of "drinking in" or "partaking of" something. While its occurrences are limited to the Aramaic portions of the biblical text, its core denotation remains consistent: the act of taking in a substance through the mouth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H8355}}` appears exclusively in the books of Daniel and Ezra. Its most prominent and theologically charged occurrences are found in Daniel 5, particularly in the account of Belshazzar's feast:
* **[[Daniel 5:1]]**: "Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand." Here, the verb describes the king's direct participation in the revelry, setting the stage for the ensuing sacrilege.
* **[[Daniel 5:2]]**: "Belshazzar commanded to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines might drink from them." The act of drinking is not merely consumption but a deliberate profanation, as the vessels previously dedicated to Yahweh's worship are now used for pagan revelry.
* **[[Daniel 5:3]]**: "Then they brought the gold vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines drank from them." This verse reiterates the sacrilegious act, emphasizing the direct engagement with the profaned vessels.
* **[[Daniel 5:4]]**: "They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone." The drinking is explicitly linked to idolatrous worship, highlighting the king's defiance of the true God.
* **[[Daniel 5:23]]**: "But you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified." In Daniel's interpretation, the act of drinking from the sacred vessels is presented as a direct affront to God, a profound act of disrespect and idolatry that precipitates divine judgment.
In Ezra, the usage is different, appearing in a context of religious offering:
* **[[Ezra 7:17]]**: "Therefore you shall buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem." Here, `{{H8355}}` is used in the context of "drink offerings" (נִסְכֵּהּ, *niskêh*), representing the liquid portion of a sacrifice that is poured out (and thus "drunk" by God in a metaphorical sense of acceptance) rather than consumed by humans. This highlights the verb's capacity to describe ritualistic acts within a context of worship and obedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to the Hebrew verb `{{H8354}}` (שָׁתָה, *shātâh*), which also means "to drink." The Aramaic `{{H8355}}` functions as the precise equivalent in the Aramaic portions of the Bible, carrying the same range of literal and figurative meanings. The concept of "drinking" is often intertwined with:
* **Feasting and Revelry**: As seen in Daniel 5, drinking is central to banquets and celebrations, which can devolve into excess and sin.
* **Sacrifice and Offering**: In Ezra 7:17, `{{H8355}}` is linked to "drink offerings," a key component of ancient Israelite worship, symbolizing dedication and appeasement to God.
* **Profanation and Sacrilege**: The use of holy vessels for common or idolatrous purposes, as in Daniel 5, transforms the act of drinking into an act of grave offense against God.
* **Idolatry**: The association of drinking with the praise of false gods underscores the spiritual dimension of the act.
* **Divine Judgment**: In Daniel, the king's drinking from the sacred vessels directly precipitates the "writing on the wall" and the swift execution of divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H8355}}` is profoundly shaped by its primary occurrences in Daniel 5. Here, the seemingly mundane act of "drinking" becomes a potent symbol of human rebellion and defiance against divine sovereignty. Belshazzar's act of drinking from the consecrated temple vessels, coupled with his praise of idols, demonstrates a deliberate rejection of Yahweh's holiness and an assertion of human autonomy over divine authority. This act is not merely a social faux pas but an egregious spiritual transgression that directly provokes divine wrath and leads to the downfall of his kingdom. It underscores the principle that even common objects, when dedicated to God, take on a sacred character, and their desecration is a serious offense.
Conversely, in Ezra 7:17, the word's use in the context of "drink offerings" highlights its role in proper worship and adherence to divine commands. This juxtaposition reveals that the act of "drinking" or "pouring out" can be either an act of profound disrespect or a gesture of reverent devotion, depending entirely on the intent, the object, and the context. The word thus serves as a reminder that all human actions, even those as simple as consuming liquid, can carry profound spiritual weight and have eternal consequences, either honoring or dishonoring the Creator.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb `{{H8355}}` (שְׁתָה, *shᵉthâh*) means "to drink" or "to imbibe," directly corresponding to the Hebrew `{{H8354}}`. While its literal meaning is straightforward, its biblical occurrences imbue it with significant theological depth. In Daniel 5, the act of drinking from profaned temple vessels by King Belshazzar symbolizes audacious sacrilege, idolatry, and direct defiance against God, leading to swift divine judgment. In contrast, its use in Ezra 7:17 in the context of "drink offerings" signifies an act of proper worship and obedience. Thus, `{{H8355}}` illustrates how a seemingly simple physical act can become a powerful conduit for either profound spiritual rebellion or reverent devotion, underscoring the critical importance of intent and context in the eyes of God.
TRV